Weighing-scale.



N0. 724,923. PATENTED APR 7, 1903.

H. B. MGNULTY.

WE-IGHING SCALE.

APPLIOATION FILED OUT. 31, 1 901. ROMODEL.

2 SHEETS-SHEET L No, 724,923. I PATENTED APR, 7, 1903.

H. B. Mc NULTY.

WEIGHING SCALE. APPLICATION FILED 00131, 1901.

no 1101mm I 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

UNITED STATES PAT NT OFFICE.

HARRY B. MCNULTY, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

- WElGHlNG-SCALE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 724,923, dated April'7, 1903. I

Application filed October 31, 1901. Serial No. 80,671. (No model.)

To (til whom, it ntrty concern: Be it known that I, HARRY B. MCNULTY,citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District ofColumbia, have invented a new and useful Weighing-Scale, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in spring-balancecomputing-scales of that class characterized by a casing within which isjour naled a shaft carrying a weighing and computing dial arranged to beoperated by 'a draftbar geared to the shaft and extended below thecasing for attachment to the supportinglink of the scale-pan.

Theobject of the invention is to simplify, the construction and tominimize the cost of' manufacture of the scale and also to providesimple and effective cushioning devices which will prevent the injuryand derangement of the mechanism, particularly the computingdial, whenthe object to be weighed is suddenly placed upon or removed from thescalepan.

A further object of the invention is to increase the capacity of thescale by providing it with a plurality of dials readable from theopposite sides of the casing, one dial being equipped with significantcharacters for the computation of prices up to a given limit per poundand the other dial being arranged to facilitate the computation of theprice of the article being weighed when the price per pound exceeds thevalues which are readable upon the first-named scale.

Further and subordinate objects of the invention will hereinafter morefully appear as the succeeding description of that preferred form of myinvention illustrated in the accompanying drawings is developed.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of my scale complete. Fig. 2is a similar View with one of the cap-plates and one of the dialsremoved. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the Fig. a is a similar view onthe line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the manner inwhich each of the glass plates is supported by the frame and one of thebridge-plates. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view, partly in elevation,showing the manner in which the cylinders are connected to the frame.Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view of the connection between thedraft-bar and the supporting-bar, and Figs. 10 and 11 are detail viewsof one of the plungers.

Referring to the numerals employed to designate corresponding partsthroughout the views, 1 indicates a circularframe, preferablyconstructed of cast metal, and constituting, with a pair of cap-plates 2and 3, a substantially circular casing, within which the operative partsof the mechanism are housed. Upon the interior face of the frame 1, atdiametrically opposite points, are screwed the terminal lugs or feet 4.of what I shall term a frame member or supporting-bar 5, preferably oflight open construction, as shown in Fig. J of the drawings, anddesigned to stiffen the frame as well as to constitute a support for theinner ends of a pair of cushioning-cylinders 6 and 7, the outer ends ofwhich are screwed into sockets 8, fixed to and preferably cast integralwith the inner face ofthe circular frame 1.

At its middle the supporting-bar 5 is bent or deflected, as indicatedat, 9, to accommodate the dial-shaft 10, disposed axially within thecasing and having bearings at-its opposite ends in'a pair ofbridge-plates 11 and 12, disposed diametrically across the frame atopposite sides thereof and screwed or otherwise secured toinwardly-extending lugs 13, cast upon the inner face of the circularframe 1. It will benoted that the supporting-bar 5 and the bridge-plates11 and 12 are all disposed diametrically within the frame, but that thebridge-plates are in a plane at right'angles to the supporting-bar andat opposite sides of the latter. By this arrangement of these necessarysupporting elements of the weighing mechanism they are utilized togreatly stiffen the shell or casing, which is of necessity of lightconstruction. Furthermore, the bridgeplates are located adjacent to theopposite edges of the frame and besides constituting rigid stiffeningmembers for the circular ICO is provided with bearings in thebridge-plates, is designed for the rotatable support of apair ofweighing and computing dials 14 and 15, mounted on the shaft adjacent tothe opposite ends thereof and provided, as usual, with significantcharacters, which in accordance with my invention are designed to beread from opposite sides of the casing. As is usual in this class ofdevices the dial-shaft is designed to be rotated by the movement of adraft-bar 16, to the lower end of which is attached a swiveled hook 17for attachment to the link or bail 18 of the scale-pan. (Notillustrated.)

The draft-bar 16 is provided at its upper end within the casing of thescale with a head 19 and projects through the circular frame 1 at thebottom of the scale, being preferably provided adjacent to its oppositeends with rubber buffers 20 and 21, which contact with the frame 1 atthe opposite iimits of movement of the draft-bar and serve to preventpossible injury to the parts.

22 and 23 indicate apair of balance-springs secured at their lower endsto the head 19 and attached at their upper extremities to a pair ofspring-adjusting rods 2t and 25, passed through the frame 1 and througha heavy integral bracket 26, beyond which latter the rods 2st and :25are screw-threaded for the reception of adjusting-nuts 27, by means of Ywhich the adjusting-rods may be moved longitu'dinally to regulate thetension of either or both of the springs, as desired. By this meanschange in the zero-point, due to the wear of the springs or any of theoperative parts may be corrected and the dials adjust- -ed so as toaccurately register both the stated, through the reciprocation of thedraftbar 16 by means-of suitable gearing, In the present instance thisgearing comprises a pinion 28, fixed on the dialfshaft at a pointintermediate of the bridge-plates 11 and 12 and meshing with a rack 29,guided by the supporting-bar 5., as indicated at 30, and

pivoted at its lower end within a bearingbracket 31, mounted upon thehead 19 of the draft-bar. To the under side of this bracket 3.1 isscrewed a flat spring 32, bearing against the lower end of the rackbelow the pivot thereof for the purpose ofyieldingly retaining the rackin a truly vertical position, but permitting such slight vibration ofthe rack as is necessary to insure smooth working of the parts.

It will now be evident that if a considerable weight is thrown upon thescale-pan or is quickly removed therefrom the draft-bar 16 will be urgedin one direction or the other with considerable violence, and suchmovement of the parts would tend at least to disarrange the dials. It isfor the purpose of preventing the happening of this contingency that Icontemplate the equipment of the scale with powerful cushioning devicesarranged in anovel manner. It has been stated that the cylinders 6 and 7are disposed between the supporting-bar 5 and the circular frame 1 ofthe casing, and by reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings it will be notedthatin each of these cylinders is mounted a piston or plunger 33,pivotally connected, as by a transverse pintle 34, with the upper end ofa piston-rod or plunger-stein 35. These rods or stems are pivotallyconnected at their lower ends to the opposite extremities of thetransverse head 19 of the draft-bar. These plungers 33 are designed topresent little or no resistance to the downward movement of thedraft-bar when the object to be weighed is placed upon the pan, butaredesigned with special reference to the opposing of a considerableresistance to the upward or retractile movement of the bar and pan underthe impulse of the balance-springs when the object has been suddenlylifted from the pan. I therefore provide each plunger with an axial vent36, having an enlargement at its upper end constituting a valve-seat forthe reception of a ball-valve 38, held within operative limits by avalve-cage 39, screwed upon the upper end of the plunger. It will now beseen that as the draft-bar is drawn down the ballvalve 38 of eachplunger will be lifted from its seat and air will pass through the vent36 and into the cylinder above the plunger. When, however, the draft baris suddenly relievedas, for instance, by the removal of the object fromthe pan-the valve 38 will be antomatically seated, and the compressionof the air within the upper end of the cylinders will prevent the partsfrom being retracted violently by the springs. The gradual retraction ofthe parts will be permitted, however, by the escape of the air aroundthe plungers. It should also be noted that the axial vent through eachplunger is enlarged at its lower end to form a socket for the upper endof a plunger-stem which engages a pintle extending transversely acrossthe upper end of the socket, as shown in Fig. 11.

It has been proposed to provide scales of this class with spring-buffersor similar cushioning devices in alinement with the draftbar; but thislocation practically precludes the employment of a cushioning device ofsufficient resistance for scales upon which considerable weight isintended to be imposed. It is for this reason that I have conceived theidea of providing a plurality of pneumatic cushioning devices disposedat like distances beyond opposite sides of the draft-bar and having suchconnection therewith as will tend to prevent undue lateral vibration andhaving such relation to the balance-springs as will maintain theposition of the draft-bar in the event of one of said springs being ofgreater power than the other. In other words, these pneumatic cushionsdisposed as illustrated constitute, in effect, an equalizing device forthe springs.

The manner of securing the dials 14 and 15 upon the dial-shaft is notmaterial; but I prefer to provide the shaft adjacent to one end of thepinion 28 with a fixed disk 40, against the face of which is screwed thehub 41 of the dial 15. This hub is preferably formed of aluminium and isretained. by the inner ends of a number of radially-disposedstiffening-arms 42, which are imposed against the back face of the dial,preferably an aluminium disk, and attached thereto by suitable fasteningdevicesas, for instance, the rivets 43. These radial stiffening-arms arepreferably constructed of light sheet metal, which is bent to impart aU-shaped transverse contour to the arms, an interlocking engagementbetween the arms and the hubs being afforded by means of kerfs 44,formed in the periphery of the hub for the reception of the side flangesof the arms, and lugs or projections 45, extending from the hub into thearms, as shown in Fig. 8.

The dial 14 at the opposite side of the scale is constructed in a mannersimilar to that described, but instead of being secured to a fixed diskupon the shaft is provided with a collar 46, extending rearwardly fromthe hub 41 and keyed to the shaft, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.Upon the outer faces of the dials are imprinted suitable charactersconstituting the weighing-scales or graduations indicative of the weightimposed upon the scale-pan, and said dials are also equipped with aseries of numbers designed for presentation before suitablesight-openings 47 in the cap-plates 2 and 3 and indicative of the totalvalues of objects being weighed, one dial being designed forthecomputation of values up to a given price per pound and theother dialbeing designed in a similar manner to facilitate the computation whenthe price per pound is in excess of the capacity of the first dial. Ihave deemed it unnecessary to illustrate these dials in detail, inasmuchas the equipment thereof with proper characters is not contemplatedwithin the purview of the present invention and is Well understood inthe art, having been shown in Letters Patent No. 666,626, heretoforegranted to Benjamin Mc- Nulty and myself. It may be noted, however, inconclusion that the scale is designed to be supported by a swiveled ring48, having its axis in alinement with the axis of the swiveled hook 17,so that the scale may be turned freely to facilitate the inspection ofeither of the dials without necessitating the turning of the scale-pan.

As clearly shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 5, each of the sight-openings 47 inthe cap-plates is backed by a transparent, preferably glass, plate 48,supported at its opposite ends by the frame and the adjacentbridge-plate, respectively. The frame is provided with a lug 49, uponwhich one end of the glass rests, and the adjacent bridge-plate isprovided with a pair of lugs 50, which are recessed, as shown,

'to form a seat for the opposite end of the glass. \Vhen these glassplates are in place, they are retained against displacement by thecap-plates 2 and 3, which are imposed directly against the glass.

It is thought that from the foregoing the construction and operation ofmy device will be clearly apparent; but while the present embodiment ofthe invention is thought at this time to be preferable I wish to reservethe right to effect such changes, modifications, and variations of theillustrated structure as may be suggested by experience and experiment,provided only that such variations are properly embraced within thescope of the protection prayed.

What I claim is 1. In a spring-balance scale, the combination with aframe comprising a ring and a dimetrical supporting-bar, of a draft-barprovided with a head, a pair of cylinders secured to the frame andextended to the supportingbar, plungers within the cylinders,plungerrods connected therewith and with the head, balance-springsdisposed between the cylinders and connected to the frame and head,respectively, a dial, and means for operating the dial through themovement of the draftbar.

2. In a spring-balance scale, the combination with a frame comprising aring, a pair of diametrically-disposed bridge-plates, and anintermediate diametrical supporting-bar disposed substantially at rightangles to the bridge-plates, of a draft-bar provided with a transversehead, a pair of cylinders secured to the frame and extended to thesupportingbar, plungers within said cylinders, plungerrods pivotallyconnected with the plungers and with the opposite ends of the head, apair of balance-springs disposed between the cylinders and connected tothe frame and head, respectively, a dial-shaft journaled at its oppositeends in the bridge-plates, a dial carried by said shaft, and means foroperating said shaft through-the medium of the draftbar.

3. In a spring-balance scale, the combination with a frame comprising aring, a pair of diametrically-disposed bridge-plates, and anintermediate diametrical supporting-bar, of a draft-bar, a pair ofcylinders secured to the frame and extended to the supporting-bar, apair of balance-springs disposed between the cylinders and connected tothe frame and head, respectively, a dial-shaft journaled at its oppositeends in the bridge-plates, a plurality of dials mounted on said shaftbetween the supportingbar and bridge plates and provided withcomputing-scales disposed in reverse order, and means for operating saidshaft through the medium of the draft-bar.

4. In a spring-balance scale the combination with a frame comprising aring, and a diametrical supportingbar, of a draft-bar provided with ahead, a pair of cylinders screwed to the frame at their upper ends andextended to the supporting bar, plunger-s within the cylinders,plunger-rods connected therewith and with the head, balance-springsdisposed between the cylinders and connected to the head and frame,respectively, dials disposed at opposite sides of the supporting-bar,and means for operating the dial through the movement of the draft-bar.

5. In a spring-balance scale, the combination with a frame comprising aring and a diametrical supporting-bar, of a draft-bar provided with ahead, a pair of threaded sockets extending inwardly from the framering,a cylinder screwed into each of said sockets and having its opposite endopen and located at the supporting-bar, plungers within the cylinders,plunger rods connected therewith and with the head, balancespringsdisposed between the cylinders and connected to the frame and head,respectively, a dial, and means for operating the dial through themovement of the draft-bar.

6. In a spring-balance scale, the combina tion with a frame, comprisinga ring and a diametrical supporting-bar, of a pair ofinternally-threaded sockets extending inwardly from the ring at a pointabove the supporting-bar, cylinders screwed into said sockets andextended to the bar, plungers within thecylinders, plunger rodsconnected to the plungers and extended through the supporting-bar forattachment to the head of the draft-bar, balance-springs disposedbetween the cylinders and connected to the frame and head, respectively,diametrically-disposed bridge-plates located at opposite sides of thesupporting-bar and disposed substantially at right angles thereto, adial-shaft journaled in the bridge-plates, a dial mounted on said shaft,and means for rotating the shaft through the movement of the draft-bar.

7. In a spring-balance scale, the combination with a frame comprising aring and a diametrical supporting-bar, of diametricallydisposedbridge-plates located at opposite sides of the supporting-bar anddisposed substantially at right angles thereto, a dial-shaft journaledin the bridge-plates, a dial and a pinion both mounted on the dial-shaftfor movement therewith, a draft-bar provided with a head,balance-springs, cushioning devices connected with said head, and atoothed rack carried by the head and engaging the pinion, said rackbeing passed through the supporting-bar and having a bearing therein.

8. In a spring-balance scale, the combination with a frame comprising aring and a diametrical supporting-bar, of diametrical Y bridge-platesdisposed at the opposite sides of the supporting-bar and at right anglesthereto, a draft-bar provided with a head, internallythreaded socketsextended inwardly from the ring, cylinders screwed into said sockets andextended to the supportingbar, plungers within the cylinders,plungerrods connected to the plungers and passed through thesupporting-bar for attachment to the head of the draft-bar,balance-springs located between the cylinders and passed through thesupporting-bar for attachment to said head, a dial-shaft journaled inthe bridge-plates and provided with a plurality of dials and anintermediate pinion, and a toothed rack-bar pivoted to the head of thedraft-bar and having a bearing in the supporting-bar, said rack-barbeing in mesh with the pinion on the dial-shaft to effect the rotationthereof.

9. In a scale, the combination with a circular frame, and a diametricalbridge-plate provided, respectively, with depressed seats, of atransparent plate supported in the seats of the frame and bridge-plate,respectively, and a cap-plate fitted over the frame to retain thetransparent plate in place, said cap-plate being provided with asight-opening protected by the transparent plate.

10. -In ascale,the combination witha frame, a dial-shaft, a dial, and adraft-bar operatively related to the shaft, of springs resisting themovement of the draft-bar, and a cushioning device for preventing thesudden retraction of the draft-bar, said cushioning device comprising acylinder, a plunger mounted therein and having an axial vent enlarged atone end to form a Valve-seat and having a greater enlargement at itsopposite end forminga socket, a ball-valve disposed to occupy thevalve-seat, a cage inclosing the valve and secured to the upper end ofthe plunger, a pintle passed transversely through the plunger andintersecting the upper end of the socket and a plunger-rod extended intothe socket in the plunger and having pivotal connection at its oppositeends with the pintle and draft-bar;

11. In a scale, the combination with a circular frame, and bridge-platesrigidly fixed therein, of a frame member interposed between thebridge-plates and disposed in angular relation thereto, saidbridge-plates and frame member serving to stiffen the frame in differentdirections, cap-plates fitted on the opposite sides of the frame andbacked by the bridge-plates, a dial-shaft having bearings in thebridge-plates, dials mounted on the shaft between the frame member andbridge-plates, a draft-bar geared to the shaft, and springs resistingthe movement of the draft-bar.

12. In a scale, the combination with a circular frame, and a framemember secured within the frame, of cylinders secured at their outerends to the circular frame and having their inner ends extended to theframe member to unite the circular frame, the frame member and thecylinders in a rigid structure, a dial-shaft, a dial thereon, adraft-bar geared to the dial-shaft, plungers movable within thecylinders and having operative connection with the draft-bar, andsprings resisting the movement of the draft-bar.

13. In a scale, the combination with a circular frame, and cylindershaving their ends secured to the frame, of means for rigidly retainingthe inner ends of the cylinders to pre vent lateral vibration thereof, adial-shaft, a dial thereon, a draft-bar gearedto the dialshaft, plungersmovable within the cylinders and operatively connected to the draft-bar,

in the cylinders and operatively related to n the draft-bar, and springsresisting the movement of said bar.

15. In a scale, the combination with a casing, a dial-shaft rotatabletherein, a dial on the shaft, a draft-bar extended through one Wall ofthe casing and geared to the dialshaft, and springs resisting themovement of the draft-bar, of yielding bufiers mounted upon thedraft-bar adjacent to its opposite ends and arranged to strike againstthe opposite sides of the wall of the casing to limit the movement ofthe draft-bar in opposite directions.

16. The combination with a frame, of a dial comprising a thin metallicdisk, a series of radial transversely U-shaped stifiening-arms rivetedto the back of the disk, and a molded hub uniting the inner ends of thestiffeningarms and having projecting portions extending between the armsand between the side flanges of each arm whereby the arms constitute thesupport for the hub.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRY B. MONULTY.

Witnesses:

GEORGE S. TATE, HARRY S. WELoH.

